Simplicity Relished

minimalism for the adventurous heart

Archives for May 2015

Weekly Capsule: 2 Outfits from my Summer Capsule Wardrobe

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Two outfits this week, because it’s been a bit of a struggle over here.

I’m feeling subdued. Not down– just absolutely exhausted. I can’t even fake excitement in my writing voice right now.

I need some time to rest this weekend, and of course I’ll be trying to be intentional about it. Choosing to rest takes courage. But as you know from earlier this week, I try not to succumb to FOMO, anyway. I’ve also noticed that it’s not easy to find peace on days off. There are a hundred things we try to cram into those extra 24 hours that we are more tired– and daunted– at the end of them than when we started.

Anyway, I hope you have a sweet, undaunted, uncrazy weekend. I sure need one.

Oh, and if you’re wondering what the heck a capsule wardrobe is, here are some links:

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10 Reasons to Toss FOMO Out the Window

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FOMO: the fear of missing out. The popularity of this acronym has always puzzled me.

I suppose that, as a generation, we are more susceptible to FOMO than any other. Three seconds on our smartphones and we can ogle someone else’s photographs in great detail. We can watch their videos. We can even shop their closets.

If we stopped at admiration and support, then this global interconnectedness could be a good thing. But, when people begin to cite FOMO as the reason to make a decision, I start to wonder. Is fear a good motivator? Has it ever been?

The Truth about Fear

What exactly is fear? The words “emotion” or “mood” don’t quite capture it.

Fear has power. It can paralyze, it can mobilize, it can even delude and corrupt.

Fear is inspired by the dread of the worst possible scenario. It ruminates in the recesses of our minds, and eventually comes hurtling towards the center.

And the problem is, fear can be fed. Like a fire, it is often kindled by the very intention of putting it out.

How exactly do we feed our fears? We obey them. We listen to them. We let them control us. And as we do those things, our fears grow. Slake their thirst for attention and their appetite will only become more formidable.

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source…Continue Reading

Queenstown and Milford Sound, New Zealand

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The first time I ever wished I were a backpacker was when I went to Queenstown, New Zealand. I realized something then that I had never realized before: that when you carry your stuff on your back, you’re able to see things that other people just don’t get to see.

Still, without the backpack (and trekking poles and sleeping on a rock), the southern tip of South Island was nothing short of glorious.

Waterfalls that laced the rocks on their way down to seawater. Rugged peaks that became the famous backdrop for all of Gandalf’s rides. A strangely lapis lagoon that shimmered despite the rainstorm.

Let me back up for a moment.

NZ Queenstown 1

After our magnificent, sunny stay in Marlborough Sounds— where we boated with dolphins and spotted the New Zealand Giant Pigeon, among other things– we boarded a flight to Queenstown.

It was forecasted to rain– hard– for the duration of our stay, and despite the fact that locals tried to convince us that rainy New Zealand was beautiful, we were miffed.

Yet as it turned out, the rain was the best thing. Something about the gloomy weather shed a pleasantly moody light on the entire place.…Continue Reading

Weekly Capsule: 5 Outfits from my Summer Capsule Wardrobe

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Last week I shared my summer capsule wardrobe, and I’m already loving it. The weather has been a bit chilly here in Southern California (and by that I mean cloudy 50s and 60s…), so it was good to have included some cardigans!

If you’re new to the whole capsule wardrobe thing, check out these posts first!

One of the main lessons I learned from my previous capsule wardrobe was that high-maintenance clothing is not my friend. A few of my dry-clean-only pieces lasted throughout the 3 months, but others required washing. And, as a result, I lost the opportunity to wear them more than a few times.

This season, I specifically selected pieces that could stand a few washes. Some of the tops and bottoms have been in my closet for ages– 7 years to be exact! The fact that I can still love and wear them means that money was well spent.

_DSF3646 The most important thing to remember when it comes to building a capsule wardrobe is to balance variety and consistency. Variety will allow you to put together a diverse collection of outfits that is exciting and inspiring throughout the 3 months. Consistency ensures that different pieces will go well together– in materials, colors and patterns.

Accessorizing is another really fun way to take a capsule wardrobe from good to great. I don’t include accessories in my wardrobe (though I do include shoes), because a scarf is not an adequate piece of clothing on its own. However, playing with these pops of color– from jewelry to hair accessories to scarves and belts– can only enhance the clothes that already make you look and feel awesome.…Continue Reading

Strawberry Lime Chia Seed Jam

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Is chia seed jam all the rage or what! It’s a brilliant idea– to use the natural gooey texture that results from combining chia seeds and moisture– as a way to give a fruit spread all of its gooey potential.

Since strawberries are in season, I decided to try my hand at making my own chia seed jam, with a twist: lime! This spread is so delicious and tastes a bit like a strawberry margarita. …Continue Reading

5 Simple Photography Tips for the Hobbyist

Photography can be intimidating. There are hundreds of different cameras, techniques and editing programs. Serious photographers have also developed their own style, mood and Lightroom actions. So where is the non-professional hobbyist to start?

This post was originally titled, “Lessons My Husband Taught Me about Photography”— because that’s exactly what I’m sharing today. Aaron is my photographer-hero, not least because when I realized that I wanted to learn more about the craft, he already had a range of gadgets for me to try. He himself is a hobby photographer, though I personally think he could go professional if he wanted to.

5 Simple Photography Tips for the Hobby Photographer …Continue Reading

New Zealand: Marlborough Sounds

It’s no secret that New Zealand is one of the most naturally stunning countries ever. And I’m pretty sure the filming of the The Lord of the Rings sealed the deal for that reputation.

And why not? With picturesque coasts, rugged mountains, jade-green fjords and rolling pastures, New Zealand is a shutterbug’s dream.

Our family traveled to New Zealand in January 2013, and it was terribly difficult to decide where to go. Due to the geological diversity of the two islands– North and South– we had to make some tough choices.

After hum-ing and ha-ing about our trouble in paradise, I selected two destinations on South Island– the second of which I’ll be sharing in the near future. First stop? Marlborough Sounds.

New Zealand Marlborough travel guide and tips Screen Shot 2015-05-17 at 4.11.07 PM …Continue Reading

Where were you? A look at global poverty and violence

Keys to ending global poverty and violence: putting an end to fear

It’s not fun to talk about violence.

We would much rather give clean water, sponsor a child, donate books and invest in microloans. We would rather not talk about slavery.

But according to International Justice Mission founder Gary Haugen, we have to talk about violence. We have to understand its hegemony over the lives of the impoverished in the developing world….Continue Reading

My 40-Piece Summer Capsule Wardrobe (and a step-by-step guide)

Summer’s just around the corner, so my summer capsule wardrobe should be filled with tank tops and short shorts, right? Wrong.

Creating a summer capsule wardrobe can be pretty challenging, depending on what’s on your calendar. If you’ll be spending any time at work– which I believe most of us will– then selecting perfect summery pieces that are still work-appropriate can be a challenge.

Building a summer capsule wardrobe should be based on the same principles we use throughout the year– namely, that clothes should be made for the body; not the body for clothes. Sure, summer is an excellent time to get outdoors, lose the weight we need to lose, and focus on fitness. But it’s not a reason to force ourselves into trends that just don’t work for us.

Summer is just as important a season as any to love everything in your wardrobe.

If you’re just now checking out the whole capsule wardrobe thing, be sure to read these posts:

Are you ready? Let’s get started!

Summer Capsule Wardrobe Inspiration and a guide to build yours! …Continue Reading

Farmer’s Market Vegan Lettuce Cups

Like most people, I often find myself trying– and struggling– to “eat more vegetables.” Ever since we started subscribing to our community-supported agriculture, we’ve been up to our ears with fresh, organic produce.

But have we been great about eating them? I’ll admit, it’s been challenging at times, even for enthusiastic home cooks like my husband and me.

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The trouble with veggies is not that they don’t taste good; they do. But they often don’t provide enough energy for the amount of time they take to prepare, which can be frustrating for busy individuals.

The other issue with vegetables is that we forget to be creative with them. We get stuck between steaming and roasting, the result of which are usually uninteresting side dishes accompanying a far more interesting entree….Continue Reading

Snapshots from Greece (and a new blog design!)

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When I was 17, I traveled to Greece with my high school. Due to my academic foray into the Classics, I was able to look at columns and rocks and actually know– if only just a bit more than the average tourist– what it all meant.

Wandering through ancient ruins in Europe is a bit like entering a thrift store. Things of great historical significance rest among modern, unimportant signs and spaces. And if you don’t look closely enough, you might just miss something (or step on it) en route to the t-shirt stand….Continue Reading

Lessons I Learned While Working in Addiction Recovery

After I graduated high school, I did not go straight to college. Instead, I packed my bags in San Francisco and boarded a flight to New Hampshire. A year later, this is what I had learned.

The Back Story…

I had planned to take a gap year between high school and college ever since my sophomore year. I wanted to see and experience something other than academics and extracurriculars. My childhood hero was Mother Theresa, so I jumped at the opportunity to work with underprivileged individuals. And somehow I found myself in Middle-of-Nowhere New Hampshire, a new young staff at an addiction-recovery program for adults mostly older than me.

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8 Purchases That Actually Make You Richer

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Is it possible to spend money and become rich?

Yes, if you’re willing to recognize “richness” beyond the dollars in your pocket.

Most of the time, I try not to spend money unless I absolutely have to. Last week, I wrote a post about how Minimalism helps me save, and I heard a resounding “yes” from the blog community.

However, as I noted in that post, I’ll note here again: money and wealth are not the same thing. In fact, there are several things I’m happy to spend money on, because they make me richer. 

How exactly do I spend money and grow in wealth? First, I redefine wealth. Wealth is an inventory of all the resources we have: time, energy, generosity of spirit, skills and abilities, and finally, money. Money is only a part of our wealth– in some cases, a small part.

I should note, also, that spending money on clutter and excess doesn’t count. Furthermore, the possibility of growing richer with certain purchases is certainly not an excuse for debt. No amount of irresponsible spending can maintain financial peace, much less build wealth.

But if we’re willing to spend thoughtfully, there are things you can buy that can make you richer. Here are 8 of them….Continue Reading

Plant Parenthood: How To Avoid Killing Your Succulents

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I might be writing this post prematurely.

I love indoor plants, I really do– but you would never know it by looking at my track record with them. I have a knack for killing succulents.

Once, my husband (then boyfriend) sent me 30 succulents to share with friends when we were dating long-distance. I proceeded to give out as many as I could, and then somehow killed the ones that stayed with me.

Anyway, we recently went to a local garden shop and I decided to consult an expert on the matter. I’ve grown tired of killing plants. It shouldn’t be rocket science, but maybe, to some, it is.

In an effort to redeem my failures, I asked the garden shop staff a thousand questions. I asked him for recommendations on potting, watering, sunlight, and fertilizer.

As it turns out, succulents are not as low-maintenance as they’re often marketed to seem, but they’re not impossible to care for, either. Here’s what I’ve gleaned.

Avoid killing your succulents- 7 tips from the experts …Continue Reading

5 Reasons to Travel within the U.S.

It’s easy for Americans to overlook the beauty of their own country. Many of us might consider the U.S. to be culturally and aesthetically vapid, but it is anything but.

During our time in Utah, I realized that there is still so much richness within American borders that remain to be discovered. Tour guides stumble upon petroglyphs and fossils on a regular basis. There are free-range cows, real cowboys, and places named after old-time outlaws in the Wild West.

I think many Americans also forget that tourists regularly pour into our country from all over the world. The U.S. is a coveted destination for many. And if we are at all down on America for lack of intrigue, we should reconsider.

US Travel- 5 Reasons …Continue Reading

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